Karen Allen is an indomitable marine conservationist who has spent most of her life strengthening the protection of East Africa’s last remaining dugong population. To do this, she introduced novel ways to reduce dugong mortality in Mozambique, and strengthened capacity in the Rangers who safeguard this critically endangered marine mammal. Through her Dugong Emergency Protection Project (DEPP), Karen catalysed a secure future for this emblematic species.
Background
Dugongs are one of the most threatened marine mammals globally, and Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (BANP) is home to one of the world’s last remaining viable dugong populations. In 2015, approximately 260 individuals were believed to remain alive in the greater Bazaruto Bay. The most significant threat to this population is illegal gill netting, where dugongs become entangled in the mesh as bycatch and drown. Additionally, artisanal seine netting damages the fragile seagrass beds which dugongs feed on.
To ensure the Bazaruto population’s survival, Karen saw the need for a critical conservation plan, and so she developed the DEPP in 2010. Through the Project’s multi-dimensional interventions, Karen and her team were able to turn the tide on dugong extinction. This involved developing strong partnerships with the government, local communities and NGOs, providing environmental education to primary schools to engage local youth, developing capacity in the Park’s 22 Rangers, and the introduction of operational procedures to improve marine conservation effectiveness in the BANP. One of the most powerful strategies Karen introduced was a combined marine and aerial patrol system, which greatly reduced the accidental drowning of Dugongs.
Vision and Approach
Karen recognises that in order to sustain long-term dugong conservation, the BANP requires more than just her focused interventions- it needs to integrate community development and fisheries management, and enhance the overall management of BANP. While Karen’s approach to addressing dugong mortalities was successful- reducing deaths from 6 to 1 per year between 2011 and 2015, she started developing a collaboration between African Parks and the Government of Mozambique to sustain these results. She helped secure a 25-year management partnership for the BANP- where African Parks took up the management responsibilities of the Park in 2017, and is addressing multiple threats to the MPA.
“I feel extremely rewarded when I can see growth within my team of law enforcement officers. It has been the greatest pleasure and privilege to watch their skills improve over the last four years and to see them grasp new conservation concepts and apply them well.”
Karen Allen
Impact of the Future For Nature Award
The financial support of the Future For Nature Awards has helped Karen to undertake law enforcement work that is critical for supporting BANP to safeguard its dugongs.
Being recognised internationally by the Future For Nature Awards has had an astounding impact on Karen’s career. She is growing the next generation of marine conservation leaders in Mozambique in partnership with the Western Indian Ocean Certification of Marine Protected Area Professionals (WIO-COMPAS).
Moving Forward
After nearly two decades of working in marine conservation, Karen’s still serves to meet Mozambique’s marine conservation needs. In 2022, she co-founded Fundação Likhulu to enable further capacity development of MPA Management Teams across the country. In 2025, Karen founded Nautilus Conservation where she now leads the Academy of Marine Conservation Leadership and a Diversified Livelihoods Programme. Her work focuses on reducing marine resource utilization in the greater Bazaruto Bay by providing coastal communities with an alternative to fishing, and developing MPA management skills and capacity in Mozambique.
"Karen has demonstrated clear dedication and courage in her chosen crusade and seems to be well integrated into local conservation efforts. Demonstration of sustained livelihood for local fisherman in the context of an important marine reserve and a highly vulnerable flagship species is an important model deserving much support and recognition."
Mr. John MacKinnon, International Selection Commitee
